Tag: EU

EU ends arms ban on Syria rebels European Union foreign ministers have agreed not to renew the union’s arms embargo on the Syrian opposition, due to expire on Saturday. But there was no immediate decision to send arms to Syrian rebels and all other sanctions remained in force, the EU foreign policy chief said.

The remarkable rise of continental Euroscepticism While we are celebrating Europe Day today, Euroscepticism reaches unprecedented hights all across Europe. 

“Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity.” /Robert Schuman/ Sixty-three years ago, on 9 May 1950, the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman made the first move towards the creation of what we now know as the European Union.  Click here to learn more. In honor of Europe Day, tonight the Empire State Building in New York will light up in EU colors once again.

Hungary Tests the E.U.’s Norms A fresh constitutional amendment has provoked alarms within Europe and elsewhere over the balance of the Hungarian government.

BBC News: Hungary defies critics over change to constitution  Hungary’s parliament has adopted a package of constitutional changes proposed by the ruling Fidesz party which critics say undermine democracy. The EU expressed concern about the bill, which defies some court rulings. “These amendments raise concerns with respect to the principle of the rule of law, EU law and Council of Europe standards,” a statement by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland said.

reuters: Britain’s European partners told David Cameron on Wednesday his demand for radical reform of the EU and an “in-out” referendum on UK membership showed a selfish and ignorant attitude. France went so far as to call Britain’s bluff and say it was free to leave. Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he had told a recent meeting with British businessmen: “If Britain wants to leave Europe we will roll out the red carpet for you.” READ ON: Selfish, ignorant, dangerous: Europe’s verdict on Cameron speech

Nobel Prize: “your peace, your prize” The European Parliament’s President Martin Schulz will go to Oslo for the official ceremony to award the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union. In Strasbourg and Brussels, live broadcasts of the ceremony, a photo exhibition, and a formal ceremony in the Strasbourg plenary chamber will mark the occasion. Many activities are also planned in EU capitals. Click for more on the schedule and further details of events!

The European Union picks up its (our) Nobel Peace Prize next week. 🙂 Great video by the European Council. 🙂 (Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

I start with declaring again that I am happy. I was happy when I first heard the news, and two days after, thinking over all the issues that cause doubt in others, I am still happy. So, this seems to be a very controversial decision of the Norvegian committee, I read all the publications about how this is the worst possible time awarding the EU, when its future is really at stake. It might be, yes. But the achievements of the past 55 years of integration and contribution to Europe’s and not just Europe’s development is unquestionable.  There always were…

Breaking News: European Union wins Nobel Peace Prize breakingnews: New York Times:The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded its 2012 peace prize to the European Union, saying it had contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation across the continent. With the body wrestling with the most severe financial crisis in its history over the single euro…